Here's Why Psychiatrist Salaries Are Growing

In 2018, it's a Psychiatrists' market, and these physicians are seeing a sharp gain in pay rates as facilities compete over fewer available Psychiatrists.

Healthcare organizations like yours face:

Stronger demand for psychiatric services

Shortage of psychiatric beds

Uneven distribution of providers relative to patient needs

Growing Demand for Mental Health Care

Americans are increasingly seeking mental health care as awareness grows and stigma wanes. Nearly 1 in 5 Americans has some sort of mental health condition, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration.

The Strain of Shortages

Communities across the United States are feeling the effects of Psychiatric shortages. In fact, more than half of U.S. counties have no Psychiatrists at all. It’s most acute in rural or poor areas that have trouble attracting the few Psychiatrists available. Below, you can see that each state has Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas, which the government designates as underserved by Psychiatrists and other mental health providers.

Access to Mental Health Care in the United States

The map below compares access to mental health services within each state. States are ranked on their access to care by evaluating: insurance, treatment, special education and providers. The quality and cost of insurance is considered in this state-by-state assessment of Mental Health Access to Care. States with high access to care are displayed in light blue. States with the lowest access to care are displayed in dark blue.

Source: Mental Health America

The number of available psychiatric beds in the U.S. has continued to decline over the past decade. This forces ER departments to become waiting rooms for patients who need psychiatric care, causing a strain on resources that can be felt hospital-wide. The National Council for Behavioral Health says there has been a 42% increase in the number of patients going to the emergency room for psychiatric care in the past three years.

Rising Psychiatry Salaries

Psychiatrists’ salary average was $237,000 in 2018. They made 16% more than they did the previous year, the largest year-over-year gain among physician specialties.

We expect these salary trends to continue as a large portion of today’s reach retirement age. More than 60 percent of practicing Psychiatrists are over the age of 55.

In a physicians' market, you need a team of expert physician recruiters on your side. Save yourself from lost revenue, reduction in available services and burned out physicians.

Your patients need you. Jackson & Coker is here to help. We have an extensive network of board-certified and licensed Psychiatrists ready to help your community.